This past weekend was a big pre-ride. Thanks to Greg Wood and Richard Burnside for rooting out the minor kinks in the cue sheets and filling out the rest of the nitty gritty details. I am happy to report that as of right now, there are 15 riders registered for the 400k and 600k!

That said, with the advent of GPS files, many aren't looking at cue sheets as much as they used to. I can tell you from personal experience that you will want the cue sheet handy for this ride. There are many details and descriptions of several cues that are important to know while you are riding. No one wants to do bonus miles. Be very aware of where you are. Those that have ridden this route before - do not assume that you know where you are going. There are many changes in ALL sections. Look at your cue sheet.

This is not the hilliest route in the GLR stable, but the hills are very much on the front for the first 400k. As has been the case in the past, the 400k and the first 400k of the 600k are the same. The route substantially flattens after you get out of the Wisconsin River Valley after Lodi. That is the good news. For first time riders, pace yourselves well and you will be fine.

That said, when the route was changed, I essentially took out all the many shortcuts from the sections between Columbus and Delavan and put them out in the driftless areas west of Baraboo. The route is unquestionably hillier in this section but very beautiful with a really amazing historical landmark as an info control. There is about 1 mile of a beautiful gravel road after the climb up Denzer (this road is nicer than some paved roads).

The other point I will say right now is that 2 controls will be receipt controls and I will NOT accept signatures for them. These two are West Baraboo and the Piggly Wiggly at East Troy. When you come into Baraboo, you will see a big brand new Kwik Trip just after the US-12 underpass - THIS IS NOT THE CONTROL. The control is still 1 mile down the road. So we need a receipt - the control is in WEST BARABOO not Baraboo. Be very aware of the cues. The last control before the finish of the 600k is the Piggly Wiggly in East Troy, you will need a receipt.

It's easy to focus on the longer rides and we also welcome our 200k riders who will also have very nice route to go through and a 7:00 AM start. This is a classic loop route. Next year, it will also undergo a big facelift so this is your last chance for the route as-is.

If you have been studying our GLR Library previous to these posted routes, you do NOT have all the changes. In the future, I will not longer have any of our routes public except when they have been properly vetted after a pre-ride/drive. I will then hide them again after the ride. This is to ensure that you do not have errors.

Next Year

While it might seem a long way off, I'm already working on all the routes for next year. One of the biggest changes in the works is the moving of the start of the 400k and 600k to Whitewater from Delavan. We are also going to be changing the 600k to have less than 400k on Day 1 and a longer 2nd day for at least one of our 600k rides.

We will still use Delavan for April and May rides, but the rates in Delavan have skyrocketed in the last 2 years. The Whitewater Super 8 is far less expensive and has nice rooms and is just 2 blocks from the Eastsider Citgo. Whitewater has some nicer restaurants including the Second Salem Brewing Company. We want to make it easier for people to plan ahead, reserve a room, and not need to get up at 3AM to drive from Chicago on the day of something like a 400k or sleep in cars.